Student Wellness and Prevention
August/September 2017
Dear Larkspur Families,
To set the tone for a safe and healthy school year, we invite you to join us in implementing the Student Wellness & Prevention Framework this year. Douglas County School District values the safety and well-being of each student. In fact, we know before we can create an environment conducive to learning, our students must feel safe, secure and supported. That is why we have developed an innovative Student Wellness & Prevention Framework to proactively address:
bullying
substance abuse
suicide and
school violence.
We hope to build our students’ tool box so they can easily recognize when they or a friend need help and they know just where to go to get the help they seek.
Each month our school staff will focus on a new topic and/or set of skills. This month we are introducing the purpose of the Student Wellness & Prevention Framework and Anonymous Reporting to our students. We are ensuring that students and parents have access to a wide range of supports and resources in the community. These resources are the first step in teaching students “when they need help and where to get help” and how to anonymously report should they see or hear something that might jeopardize a student’s individual safety or the safety of others.
Based on students’ development levels, we will be exploring these two topics with students:
Elementary school students will learn about Safe2Tell, a program to help students learn what to look for, listen for, and what to report.
Please consider the resources listed below.
Community Resources
Comprehensive Support Services
Safe2Tell
Text-a-tip
Later this month topic: Acceptance and Appreciation of Self and Others.
As we work towards promoting student wellness in all areas, we want students in Douglas County to not only accept and appreciate themselves, but also accept and appreciate the uniqueness of others. For elementary school children, factors such as physical appearance, cultural traits, and disabilities begin to be recognized and can potentially impact relationships. When we learn to value each other for who we are, then we are less likely to engage in negative coping mechanisms.
Based on students’ development levels, we will be exploring this topic in the classroom with our students:
Elementary school students will be introduced to differences from the angle of “All of us are unique.” The students will deepen their understanding of how to recognize, respect, and embrace such differences.
Towards the end of September, we will survey students in 3rd, 5th, grade to ensure we have a base line data point to drive our work in empowering our young people. Survey questions are only about knowing “when they need help and where to get help” and are taken anonymously.
We encourage you to support our efforts by discussing this month’s topic of Acceptance & Appreciation of Ourselves and Others. Check us out next month when we explore: How to Help Friends and Family Members in Need.
Remember that if your child shares thoughts or behaviors that concern you there are many resources available to you at your student’s school (counselor, mental health provider, teacher) and in the community. Your child’s safety is of the utmost importance, and we at Larkspur will do all we can to support every student’s well-being. Please consider the resources offered on the PREVENTION and SCHOOL CULTURE (https://www.dcsdk12.org/prevention-and-school-culture) website if you would like to learn more about this topic.
In Partnership,
Larkspurs’ Anti-bullying/Wellness/Prevention Team